A BILLION YEARS OF SOLITUDE

Dutch eclectic modern progressive rock band Sky Architect really got my attention with their surprisingly sophisticated and well performed debut album in 2010. I've wondered since then why it was received with such mild enthusiasm.

This third record 'A billion years of solitude' is yet another great modern progressive rock record, but this time a bit more in line with my personal taste. There is more breathing space in the compositions (something a seventies prog listener like me would like) and the drums are playing a more constructive and lively role. The recording sounds a bit more like a live recording and the guitar has a great natural tone, especially when its clean. The composition itself has daring harmonic constructions in interesting rhythmical contexts, some chord-progressions are really original.

The band distinguishes itself from peers like Porcupine Tree, Riverside and the modern Opeth in its interesting sound pallet (even some wind-instruments), its more daring experimentation (sometimes almost avant-prog) and the absence of poppy refrains. Furthermore, the range of dynamics presented in the 18 minute opening track 'The curious one' reminds us a bit of King Crimson's symphonic sound. This is perhaps most apparent on the epic 'Elegy of a solitary giant'. To me Sky Architect has found one of the best mixes of retro and modern progressive sounds. In addition, they sound like a band playing music - an enjoyable feature often missed in modern progressive rock.

This album, though not too light, could hardly be called heavy prog because of its eclectic nature. Genres covered are symphonic prog, jazz-rock, avantprog and spacerock.

Conclusion. Sky Architect really has something original to add to modern progressive rock. Not an easy album to get into perhaps, but I think this album is great for listeners who like there progressive rock with a capital P. It even sounds mystical at times. One of my favorite modern prog records, therefore a full score is well deserved.

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